How To Set Up A Native VPN Server For Incoming Connection in Windows 7 Without Involving Any 3rd Party Application

We have covered a few VPN specific topics here, which shows the improvements it has mad in Windows 7 when connecting remotely to Windows server via VPN client. But can we set it up to make Windows 7 as the VPN server that allows remote user to connect? The answer is a surprising Yes, and […]

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We have covered a few VPN specific topics here, which shows the improvements it has mad in Windows 7 when connecting remotely to Windows server via VPN client. But can we set it up to make Windows 7 as the VPN server that allows remote user to connect? The answer is a surprising Yes, and here is how.

First, open Network Connections window by simply typing in "network connection" in the search box from the start menu.

Then, press and hold Alt key, click on File menu, and select New Incoming Connection to launch the wizard.

Through the Wizard, first to select an user account to allow that person to access to the computer.

Next, pick the type of connection you allow people to connect, either through Internet or modem, or both.

Then, check each type of networking protocol that can be used for incoming connection. At least, TCP/IPv4 should be checked.

Click on the Properties button and change the type of IP address you want to assign, either through DHCP or via static.

Once clicking on the Allow access button, Windows 7 starts enabling the connections with the proper user setup, and pops up the final notes telling you the computer name that will be used for connection.

That’s it. Now, you have created a network connection for incoming connections.

But wait, you actually haven’t done yet if you have this Windows 7 running behind the firewall. Since the firewalls from the different brands have slightly different setup, we can’t list the details how to do that. But basically, all you need is to open the VPN PPTP port 1723 in the firewall and forward it to the IP address used on the Windows 7 machine that has VPN server enabled.

Limitations

It’s great for having VPN server set up right on the Windows 7 machine but also be aware of the limitations.

1. It seems that it only accepts one connection at a time. No capability of allowing multi concurrent users connected in.

2. It only bundles with the user accounts from the local machine, don’t seem to have the AD integrations.